Text alternative to established voice call session

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are described wherein an initiating device sends a communication requesting a voice call session with a recipient device. In response, the initiating device receives a communication indicating that the initiating device can provide a text message instead of establishing the voice call session. In some cases, the communication may refuse the request voice call session, while in other cases the communication may simply indicate that the recipient device supports text messaging as an alternative to voice mail. As a result of the received communication, the initiating device outputs a text input prompt. After receiving text input in response to the prompt, the initiating device sends a text message containing the received text input.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/688,261 filed Jan. 15, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,290,525), thecontent of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

When attempting to establish a telephone call or other type ofinteractive voice communication, the called party may be unable orunwilling to accept the incoming call. In such a circumstance, it isoften useful to provide some type of message for the called party.Typically, voice mail systems have been used for this purpose. Incertain situations, however, voice mail may not be ideal. For example, acalled party may be in a loud room or other environment in whichconducting a voice call or listening to a voice mail may be impractical.However, the called party may still be desirous of receiving informationfrom the calling party. Although other forms of communication such astext messaging are available, there is no known way to link a textmessage with a failed call attempt.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features.

In a method according to at least some embodiments, an initiating devicesends a communication requesting a voice call session with a recipientdevice. In response, the initiating device receives a communicationindicating that the initiating device can provide a text message insteadof establishing the voice call session. In some cases, the communicationmay refuse the requested voice call session, while in other cases thecommunication may simply indicate that the recipient device supportstext messaging as an alternative to voice mail. As a result of thereceived communication, the initiating device outputs a text inputprompt. After receiving text input in response to the prompt, theinitiating device sends a text message containing the received textinput. At least some additional embodiments include devices and/orsystems configured to perform the above-described method andmachine-readable media storing instructions for carrying out theabove-described method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to at least someembodiments.

FIGS. 2 through 7 are communication diagrams showing text-basedmessaging alternatives to voice mail according to at least someembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing operations performed by an initiatingterminal that supports a text alternative feature according to at leastsome embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing operations performed by a recipientterminal that supports a text alternative feature according to at leastsome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to at least someembodiments. The system of FIG. 1 includes a first communicationterminal 1A and a second communication terminal 1B that are configuredfor communication with one another via network(s) 10. Network(s) 10 mayinclude a first access network with which terminal 1A directlycommunicates using a hardware interface 2A, a second access network withwhich terminal 1B communicates directly using a hardware interface 2B,and one or more intermediate data networks that interconnect the firstand second access networks.

In the example of FIG. 1, each of terminals 1A and 1B is a wirelessmobile terminal that provides telephony communications via a wide areawireless access network. Examples of such wide area wireless networksinclude but are not limited to cellular telephone networks, thirdgeneration (3G) mobile networking and telecommunication networks, EDGE(Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) networks, and EVDO (EVolutionData Optimized) networks. Accordingly, each of hardware interfaces 2Aand 2B may include a transceiver configured for direct communicationwith the corresponding wide area wireless access network, and each ofterminals 1A and 1B may be configured to communicate with thecorresponding wide area wireless access network using the appropriatewireless access network protocols. That configuration, as well as anyconfiguration to carry out other operations as described below, can bephysically embodied in the form of instructions (e.g., executable codeand/or hard-wired logic) stored in the processor (3A, 3B) and/or memory(4A, 4B) of each terminal.

In embodiments where each of terminals 1A and 1B communicates directlywith a separate wide area wireless access network, terminals 1A and 1Bneed not directly communicate with the same type of access network. Forexample, terminal 1A could communicate directly with a 3G network andterminal 1B could communicate directly with an EVDO network. In someembodiments, terminals 1A and 1B may each communicate directly with acommon access network.

Although certain embodiments include two terminals that communicatedirectly with one or more wide area wireless access networks, this isonly one example. In other embodiments, one or both of terminals 1A and1B is another type of communication device and communicates directlywith a different type of access network. For example, terminal 1A and/orterminal 1B could be a computer, a set top terminal, or some other typeof communication device that communicates directly with a wired accessnetwork. Examples of wired access networks include but are not limitedto a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network used to deliver telephony, dataand other services to a premises over a coaxial drop, a Fiber to theHome (FTTH) network used to deliver telephony, data and other servicesover a fiber optic link that terminates in a premises, a DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) network delivering telephony, data and otherservices over a twisted pair conductor that terminates in a premises,etc. In embodiments where terminal 1A communicates directly with a wiredaccess network, hardware interface 2A includes the appropriatecomponents (e.g., a cable modem, an optical network terminal, a DSLmodem) for communication over the access network medium and isconfigured (via instructions stored in processor 3A and/or memory 4A,for example) to communicate with the wired access network using theappropriate protocols. In embodiments where terminal 1B communicatesdirectly with a wired access network, hardware interface 2B similarlymay include the appropriate components for communication over thataccess network medium and is configured to communicate with that accessnetwork using the appropriate protocols.

In still other embodiments, one or more of terminals 1A and 1B maycommunicate over a local wireless network link with an in-premisesgateway, a femtocell or other device. That gateway, femtocell or otherdevice then relays communications from and to the terminal over anaccess network link. In some embodiments, for example, terminal 1A maybe a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECT) handset or some othertype of local wireless network device. In such embodiments, hardwareinterface 2A may include a short-range wireless transceiver forcommunication with a corresponding transceiver in a gateway (or otherrelaying device) and may be configured (via instructions stored inprocessor 3A and/or memory 4A, for example) to communicate using theappropriate local wireless network protocols. Example types of localwireless networks include but are not limited to DECT networks, WiFinetworks according to IEEE 802.11, Cordless Advanced Technology-Internetand Quality (CAT-iq) networks, etc. In embodiments where terminal 1Bcommunicates directly over a local wireless network link, hardwareinterface 2B similarly includes the appropriate components forcommunication over that local wireless network and is configured tocommunicate using the appropriate local wireless network protocols.

In still other embodiments, one or both of terminals 1A and 1B maycommunicate over a wired local network link with a local gateway, routeror other element, and with that other element then relayingcommunications from and to the terminal over an access network link.Examples of local wired networks include Ethernet networks, MultimediaOver Coax Alliance (MOCA) networks, Digital Living Network Alliance(DLNA) networks, etc. In such embodiments, the terminal hardwareinterface includes the appropriate hardware (e.g., an Ethernet card, aMOCA chipset, a DLNA chipset) for communication over the local networkmedium and the terminal is configured (by instructions stored in theprocessor and/or memory) to communicate using the appropriate localnetwork protocols.

Returning to FIG. 1, the hardware communication interface 2A of terminal1A receives and demodulates communication signals received over a directcommunication link. Interface 2A also modulates and transmitscommunication signals over that link. As indicated above, terminal 1Aincludes a processor 3A configured to execute instructions so as toperform various operations as described herein and to control operationof other components of terminal 1A. Those instructions may be stored inmemory 4A as executable code and/or as hard wired logic within processor3A. Memory 4A also stores data sent or received by terminal 1A and otherdata used in operation of terminal 1A. Processor 3A is also configuredto perform one or more types of CODEC (coder/decoder) operations toconvert data to audio for output through a speaker 5A and to convertsound received through a microphone 6A into data. Processor 3A outputsvideo data to a display 7A and receives user input through a keypad 8Aand/or through touch sensitive portions of display 7A. Processor 3A isconfigured to provide a user interface (UI) on display 7A by which auser of terminal 1A can provide text input using keyboard 8A and/ortouch sensitive portions of display 7A, see text messages and otheroutput, and otherwise receive visual displays of information. A batteryor other power supply (not shown) provides electrical power to terminal1A. Terminal 1B similarly includes a hardware communication interface 2Bthat receives and demodulates communication signals and that modulatesand transmits communication signals, a processor 3B configured toexecute instructions (e.g., executable code and/or hard wired logicwithin processor 3B) so as to perform various operations as describedherein and to control operation of other components of terminal 1B, anda memory 4B that stores instructions and data. Processor 3B is alsoconfigured to perform one or more types of CODEC operations to outputaudio through a speaker 5B, to convert sound received through amicrophone 6B into data, to output video data to a display 7B, toreceive user input through a keypad 8B and/or through touch sensitiveportions of display 7B, to provide a UI on display 7B, and to outputtext messages and other visual displays of information on display 7B.Terminal B may also be powered by a battery or other power supply (notshown).

Terminals 1A and 1B are configured to establish a voice call sessionwith one another. As used herein, “voice call session” refers to a statein which terminal 1A, terminal 1B and the networks linking terminals 1Aand 1B have been placed into a condition that permits human users ofterminals 1A and 1B to conduct a real-time voice conversation. As usedherein, “voice call session” includes full duplex communication sessionsthat resemble conventional telephony, half-duplex “Push-to-Talk”communication sessions, and other types of sessions in which two userscan exchange voice communications in real time. Each of terminals 1A and1B is also configured to send and receive text messages. As used herein,“text message” refers to a text-based message according to Short MessageService (SMS) protocol, a text and multimedia message according toMultimedia Messaging Service (MMS) protocol, an Instant Message (IM), orsome other type of scheme that permits text-based communication. In somecircumstances, a user of terminal 1A may seek to establish a voice callsession with terminal 1B when the user of terminal 1B does not wish (oris not able) to conduct a voice conversation. Although the terminal 1Buser could simply ignore a call session request from terminal 1A (e.g.,not answer the incoming call request) or could allow that incoming callrequest to be directed to a voice mail system, neither of these optionsmay be desirable. For example, the user of terminal 1B could be in aloud room or other setting in which a voice conversation might bedifficult, but in which the terminal 1B user is still able to readand/or send text messages. Accordingly, terminals 1A and 1B are alsoconfigured so that a user of one terminal can specify that anotherterminal, requesting a voice call session, should be requested orinstructed to instead send a text message. The terminals are alsoconfigured such that the user of one terminal, when instructing orrequesting the other terminal to send a text message, may add a textmessage to the instruction or request.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are communication diagrams showing messaging according toat least some embodiments. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, each ofterminals 1A and 1B supports a “text alternative to voice mail”(hereinafter, “text alternative”) feature. That text alternative featurepermits a terminal attempting to initiate a voice call session(“initiating terminal”) to provide and/or receive a text message if therequested session is not established. In the example of FIG. 2, user Bof terminal 1B has enabled the text alternative feature. In this manner,for example, user B has indicated a desire that other users requesting avoice call session with user B send a text message instead. User A ofterminal 1A has also enabled the text alternative feature.Alternatively, such features may be automatically enabled. At line 52-1,user A of terminal 1A initiates a request for voice call session withuser B. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, user A may do so by inputting anidentifier (e.g., a telephone number) associated with terminal 1B and aninstruction to begin the voice call session setup process (e.g., bypressing a “call” button after inputting a telephone number). In someembodiments, an identifier may be associated with a user instead of aspecific device. For example, a network may associate a particulartelephone number or other identifier with a specific user, but that usermay be able to receive communications through multiple devices. Thenetwork may then track which of those devices is associated with theuser at any given time and may route communications to that device ordevices.

In response to the user input of line 52-1, terminal 1A transmits a callrequest communication at line 52-2. For simplicity, FIG. 2 shows thisand other communications going directly from terminal 1A to terminal 1B.Other drawing figures similarly show direct communications between aninitiating and recipient terminal or between a terminal and anothernetwork element. In practice, communications between terminals 1A and 1B(or between terminals and other network elements) could pass throughvarious intermediate elements of network(s) 10. In some cases anintermediate element may simply re-encapsulate and/or relay acommunication, while in other cases an intermediate element may add orremove data or otherwise modify a communication before sending thatcommunication to another element. As used herein, “communication” doesnot require that data be sent in a continuous stream. For example, datapackets of a first communication could be intermingled with data packetsof an unrelated second communication, with first communication packetsidentified and reassembled at a destination.

After receiving the communication of line 52-2, terminal 1B exchangesone or more signaling communications with terminal 1A (line 52-3) aspart of a signaling exchange. In other words, terminals 1A and 1B andnetwork(s) 10 are configured to permit data exchange between (or withregard to) terminals 1A and 1B, but a voice call session is notestablished. During the signaling exchange, users A and B cannot speakwith each other using terminals 1A and 1B. However, terminal 1A mayoutput an audio signal through speaker 5A or other indicator that therecipient terminal is “ringing,” and terminal 1B may provide an audio,visual and/or tactile (e.g., vibration) indicator of the receivedrequest for a voice call session. Because the text response feature hasbeen enabled, however, terminal 1B automatically, or after an additionalinput from user B, sends a communication to terminal 1A indicating thatthe request for a voice call session is refused and that the initiatingterminal should send a text message (line 52-4). Such communication toterminal 1A may be via (or may otherwise include) a text message, and/ormay include other types of data that can be output to the user ofterminal 1A (e.g., a pre-recorded voice message, a picture or othergraphic, etc.). Upon receiving the communication of line 52-4, terminal1A recognizes that the recipient terminal (and/or its user) has refusedthe request for a voice call session and has requested a text message(line 52-5). As a result, terminal 1A may then send a communication toterminal 1B at line 52-6 acknowledging receipt of the communication ofline 52-4. In response, terminal 1B recognizes (at line 52-7) that theinitiating terminal understood the communication of line 52-4 and may beplanning to send a text message. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2,terminal 1B may start a timer having a predetermined period at line52-8. If terminal 1B does not receive a text message from terminal 1Abefore the elapse of the predetermined period, terminal 1B will storedata indicating to user B that the request of line 52-2 was a missedcall. If a text message from terminal 1A is received before the elapseof the predetermined period, missed call data is not stored.

Also as a result of the communication of line 52-4, and as shown by line52-9, terminal 1A may initiate a text messaging application program,generate a user interface on display 7A, and prompt user A to providetext input. If a text messaging application is already running in thebackground, terminal 1A may simply bring that running application to theforeground. User A provides input to the text messaging application andan instruction (e.g., a “send” command) at line 52-10. As a result, andas shown by line 52-11, terminal 1A transmits a message to terminal 1Bcontaining the text input at line 52-10. In some embodiments, theterminal 1A-terminal 1B signaling exchange remains active until a textmessage is received or the predetermined time period expires, while inother embodiments that signaling exchange may be terminated earlier(e.g., upon receipt of the acknowledgment message of line 52-6).

User B need not indicate in advance how incoming voice call sessionrequests should be processed. If the text alternative feature ofterminal 1B is not enabled prior to receipt of a voice call sessionrequest, terminal 1B could simply provide a choice of options to user B.Upon receiving a voice call session request under such circumstances,terminal 1B could provide audio, video and/or tactile indicators of theincoming request and, for example, provide a UI with “answer,” “voicemail,” “text mail,” “end,” “reject” or other options. If user B selectsthe “answer” option, a voice call session could be set up. If user Bselects the “voice mail” option, the initiating party could be directedto a voice mail system. If user B selects the “text mail” option,terminal 1B could send the signal of line 52-4. If user B selects the“end” option, a message could be sent to inform the initiating terminalthat a voice call session will not be established, but giving theinitiating terminal the choice of leaving a voice mail message or ofsending a text message. If user B selects the “reject” option, a messagemay be sent indicating that a voice call session will not beestablished, and the initiating terminal is not given the option ofleaving a voice mail message or of sending a text message.

FIG. 3 is another communication diagram showing some embodiments. In theexample of FIG. 3, terminal 1A has enabled the text alternative feature.However, terminal 1B has not enabled the text alternative feature.Accordingly, and as indicated above, user B may be provided multipleoptions in response to an incoming request to establish a voice callsession.

As in the example of FIG. 2, user A provides input at line 53-1 toinitiate a voice call session request and a corresponding communicationis sent at line 53-2. As a result of receiving the communication of line53-2, terminal 1B may initiate a signaling exchange with terminal 1A(line 53-3). Although the text alternative feature has not been enabledfor terminal 1B, terminal 1B does not automatically refuse the voicecall session request. Instead, and as part of line 53-3, terminal 1Boutputs audio, visual and/or tactile indicators of the call request andmay generate a UI providing user B with various response options (e.g.,“answer,” “text mail,” “voice mail,” “end,” “reject”). While terminal 1Bis providing the indicator(s) of the incoming request, it may send acommunication to terminal 1A indicating that terminal 1B supports voicemail and the text alternative feature (line 53-4). If user B provides aninput indicating a desire to establish a voice call session (e.g., an“answer” command) while terminal 1B is outputting the aforementionedaudio, visual and/or tactile indicators of the call request, the voicecall session is established. If user B provides an input indicating arefusal of the call and a desire to receive a text message (e.g., a“text mail” command) while terminal 1B is outputting the aforementionedaudio, visual and/or tactile indicators of the call request, terminal 1Bcould send a communication similar to that of line 52-4 of FIG. 2. Ifuser B provides an input refusing the call and indicating a desire toreceive a voice mail (e.g., disabling the text alternative feature),terminal 1B could send a communication indicating that a text messageresponse option is no longer available and directing the initiatingparty to voice mail. If user B takes no action, the initiating partywill be automatically directed to voice mail unless the initiating partytakes (or has already taken) some other action.

Such other action by the initiating party may include opting to send atext message. Specifically, upon receiving the message of line 53-4,terminal 1A recognizes that the recipient terminal supports voice mailand text alternative options. If the text alternative feature had notalready been enabled on terminal 1A, or if a text alternative preferencein terminal 1A had not otherwise been pre-configured, terminal 1A couldprompt user A to indicate which action should be taken if a voice callsession is not established (e.g., if the recipient user does not acceptthe voice call session request) within a predetermined amount of time.That prompt may include a visual UI (e.g., a screen display with “leavevoice mail” and/or “send text message” options) and/or an audio menu(e.g., a prerecorded message instructing a user to press 1 for voicemail, press 2 to send a text message).

When the text alternative feature has already been enabled in terminal1A, terminal 1A will automatically prompt user A to send a text messageif a voice call session is not established. As shown by line 53-5, uponrecognizing that the recipient terminal supports the text alternativefeature, terminal 1A may set a flag that indicates a text message shouldbe sent if the requested voice call session is not established. Inparticular, if the voice call session is not established (e.g., user Bfails to accept the request) before expiration of a predefined timeperiod, terminal 1A will initiate the text message application (or bringit to the foreground if previously initiated) and prompt for input. Thepredefined time period, if used, could be set at terminal 1A or could beset at terminal 1B and provided in the communication of line 53-4.Similarly, the text message application could be initiated (or broughtto the foreground) and user A prompted for input if user A provides afurther input indicating a desire to proceed with a text message insteadof waiting for the recipient terminal to answer.

When the predefined time period expires, terminal 1A may send acommunication indicating a text message will be sent (line 53-6). Thecommunication of line 53-6 would also be sent if user A provided theabove-described further input, indicating a desire to proceed with atext message. As a result of the communication of line 53-6, and asshown by lines 53-7 through 53-11, operations similar to those describedin connection with lines 52-7 through 52-11 of FIG. 2 are performed.

If terminal 1A has the text alternative feature enabled and attempts toestablish a voice call session with a terminal that does not support thetext alternative feature, terminal 1A would not receive a communication(such as that of line 53-4 of FIG. 3) indicating the recipient terminalsupports the feature. In such a case, and assuming the recipientterminal has voice mail capability, terminal 1A could simply allow userA to proceed to the recipient terminal's voicemail if a voice callsession is not established.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing exemplary communications between terminal 1Band another terminal (1C) that does not support the text alternativefeature. In response to user C input at line 54-1, terminal 1C transmitsa call request communication at line 54-2. Terminal 1B may initiate asignaling exchange with terminal 1C (line 54-3) and automatically send acommunication to terminal 1C indicating that the request for a voicecall session is refused and that the initiating terminal should send atext message (line 54-4). Terminal 1C does not recognize thecommunication of line 54-4, and may not respond. In some embodiments,the communication of line 54-4 may be repeated one or more times. Afterfailing to receive an acknowledgement or other responsive communication(as in line 52-6 of FIG. 2) after a predefined period, terminal 1B maysend a communication indicating the call request has been directed tovoice mail (line 54-5). If user C desires to do so, he or she thenprovides a voice mail message (not shown).

In certain embodiments, an initiating terminal may be configured toindicate, in a voice call session request communication, whether thatinitiating terminal supports a text alternative feature. In suchembodiments, a recipient terminal (or network element acting on behalfof a recipient terminal) could then simply determine from that requestwhether to send a communication such as in line 54-4, line 53-4 (FIG. 3)or line 52-4 (FIG. 2), or otherwise send a request for a text message.

In some embodiments, one or more of the operations performed by terminal1B, such as operations in the sequences of FIGS. 2-4, could be performedby a call server or other element in network(s) 10 (see FIG. 1). FIG. 5is an exemplary communication diagram showing a text alternative featureaccording to at least some such embodiments. As in the embodiments ofFIG. 2, terminals 1A and 1B each supports the text alternative feature.In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-7, however, various aspects of the textalternative feature are performed on behalf of a terminal by a server 20within network(s) 10. Although not shown in the drawings, server 20could be implemented in a computer having processor(s), memory(ies) andone or more network communication interfaces, with server 20 beingconfigured to execute instructions (hardwired and/or stored asexecutable code on any appropriate medium) to carry out the operationsof server 20 described herein.

At line 55-1, user B provides input to terminal 1B activating the textalternative feature. As a result, terminal 1B sends a communication toserver 20 indicating that incoming voice call session requests should berefused and handled in accordance with the text alternative feature.Subsequently, user A provides input to terminal 1A (line 55-3) andcauses a voice call session request communication to be sent (line55-4). The operations of lines 55-3 and 55-4 of FIG. 5 are similar tothe operations of lines 52-1 and 52-2 of FIG. 2, but with thecommunication of line 55-4 going to server 20 instead of to terminal 1B(as is the case with operation 55-2 in FIG. 2). As a result of thecommunication of line 55-4, server 20 sends a communication to terminal1B advising of the incoming call request (line 55-5) and initiates asignaling exchange with terminal 1A (line 55-6). As a result of thecommunication of line 55-5, terminal 1B provides a notification of thecall request and, for example, any type of UI permitting user B tooverride the previous enablement of the text alternative feature (line55-7).

Also as a result of communication 55-4, server 20 sends a communicationat line 55-8 indicating that the request for a voice call session isrefused and that the initiating terminal should instead send a textmessage. The communication of line 55-8 is similar to the communicationof line 52-4 of FIG. 2. As a result of the communication at line 55-8,the operations of lines 55-9 through 55-15 are performed. The operationsof lines 55-9 through 55-15 are similar to the operations of lines 52-5through 52-11 of FIG. 2, but with server 20 taking the place of terminal1B. After receiving the text message of line 55-15, server 20 forwardsthat text message to terminal 1B at line 55-16.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of communications where server 20performs certain operations instead of terminal 1B. As with the sequenceof FIG. 3, terminal 1A has enabled the text response feature, butterminal 1B has not. User A provides input to terminal 1A (line 56-1)and causes a voice call session request communication to be sent (line56-2). The operations of lines 56-1 and 56-2 of FIG. 6 are similar tothe operations of lines 53-1 and 53-2 of FIG. 3, but with thecommunication of line 56-2 going to server 20 instead of to terminal 1B(as is the case with operation 53-2 of FIG. 3). As a result of thecommunication of line 56-2, server 20 sends a communication to terminal1B advising of the incoming request (line 56-3) and initiates asignaling exchange with terminal 1A (line 56-4). As a result of thecommunication of line 56-3, and as shown by line 56-5, terminal 1Boutputs audio, visual and/or tactile indicators of the incoming request.

Also as a result of the communication at line 56-2, server 20 sends acommunication at line 56-6 indicating that terminal 1B supports the textalternative feature and, if desired, other features such as voice mail.The communication of line 56-6 is similar to the communication of line53-4 of FIG. 3, but going from server 20 instead of from terminal 1B (asis the case with operation 53-4 of FIG. 3). As a result of thecommunication at line 56-6, the operations of lines 56-7 through 56-13may be performed. The operations of lines 56-7 through 56-13 are similarto the operations of lines 53-5 through 53-11 of FIG. 3, but with server20 taking the place of terminal 1B. After receiving the text message atline 56-13, server 20 forwards the message to terminal 1B at line 56-14.

Alternatively, and as with the embodiment of FIG. 3, the user ofterminal 1B could have provided an input accepting the voice callsession request in response to the indication(s) of line 56-5. Had userB done so, the voice call session would have been established.Similarly, user B could have provided an input indicating a refusal ofthe call and a desire to receive a text message (e.g., a “text mail”command). In response to such an input, terminal 1B would have sent acommunication to server 20 that would have caused server 20 to send anappropriate communication to terminal 1A, similar to that of line 55-8of FIG. 5. If user B had provided an input refusing the call andindicating a desire to receive a voice mail (e.g., disabling the textresponse feature), terminal 1B could have sent a communication to server20 indicating that a text message response option is no longer availableand directing the initiating party to voice mail, with server 20 thensending a corresponding communication to terminal 1A.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of communications where server 20performs certain operations instead of terminal 1B. As with the sequenceof FIG. 4, terminal 1B has enabled the text alternative feature (notshown in FIG. 7), but terminal 1C does not support that feature. Theoperations of lines 57-1 and 57-2 are similar to the operations of lines54-1 and 54-2 of FIG. 4, but with communication 57-2 going to server 20instead of terminal 1B. The operations of lines 57-3 through 57-6 aresimilar to the operations of lines 55-5 through 55-8, respectively, ofFIG. 5. The communication of line 57-7 is similar the communication ofline 54-5 of FIG. 4, except that it comes from server 20 instead ofterminal 1B.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process and showingoperations performed by an initiating terminal that supports a textalternative feature (e.g., terminal 1A) according to at least someembodiments. Although the operations shown in the process of FIG. 8 maybe performed by an initiating terminal as part of the communicationsequences shown in FIGS. 2-7, the communication sequences of FIGS. 2-7could also be performed by an initiating terminal performing operationsaccording to a process other than that reflected by FIG. 8. A person ofordinary skill will also appreciate that operations represented bycertain blocks of FIG. 8 could be performed by other devices, such asserver 20.

At block 101, the initiating terminal receives user input indicatingthat a voice call session should be requested. After receiving thatinput, the terminal sends a communication requesting a voice callsession (block 102). Subsequently, the terminal receives a communicationin response to the voice call session request (block 103). The terminalthen, at block 104, determines if the communication received in block103 is a refusal of the requested voice call session. If not, theprocess continues on the “no” branch to block 105. In block 105, theinitiating terminal may determine, based on data included in thecommunication received in block 103, whether the recipient terminalsupports the text alternative feature. If the recipient terminalsupports the text alternative feature, for example, the initiatingterminal may have more options (e.g., text messaging) if a voice callsession is not established. Conversely, a determination that therecipient terminal does not support the text alternative feature mayindicate that such additional options are not available.

If the initiating terminal determines in block 105 that the recipientterminal does not support the text alternative feature, the initiatingterminal continues on the “no” branch from block 105 to performadditional operations. Such additional operations can include, e.g.,waiting for the recipient terminal to accept the request, commencing thevoice call session if the request is accepted, waiting for a signalindicative of voice mail, etc. If the text alternative feature issupported by the recipient terminal, the process continues on the “yes”branch to block 106.

In block 106, the initiating terminal determines if the text alternativefeature has been enabled in the initiating terminal, or if thepreferences of the initiating terminal are otherwise preconfigured toselect the text alternative when available. For example, a user of theinitiating terminal may have determined that he or she does not desireone or more of the text alternative feature options to be automaticallyexecuted if a voice call session request with a recipient terminalcannot be established, and thus may have disabled the text alternativefeature in the initiating terminal. If the text alternative feature isnot enabled in the initiating terminal, the process continues on the“no” branch from block 106 and may perform other operations. Forexample, and as described above, the initiating terminal can prompt itsuser to indicate which action (e.g., send text message or leave voicemail) should be taken if a voice call session is not established withina predetermined amount of time. If the text alternative feature isenabled (or a text message preference has otherwise been set), theprocess continues on the “yes” branch from block 106 to block 107. Inblock 107, the initiating terminal determines if a predetermined timehas expired or if the initiating terminal user has provided a furtherinput indicating that the user does not wish to wait any longer for therecipient party to answer. As previously indicated in connection withFIG. 3, this predetermined time period could be set at the initiatingterminal or at the recipient terminal. If the predetermined time hasexpired (or if there is a received instruction indicating that theinitiating terminal user does not wish to wait any longer for therecipient party to answer), the process continues on the “yes” branch toblock 110, discussed below. If the predetermined time has not expiredand an instruction has not been received, the process continues on the“no” branch to block 108. In block 108, the terminal determines if thevoice call session has been established or if a new communication hasbeen received. For example, a subsequent communication from therecipient terminal could indicate the text alternative feature is nolonger available. If so, the process continues on the “yes” branch fromblock 108 and other appropriate operations are performed. If not, theprocess loops from the “no” branch of block 108 back to block 107.

Returning to block 104, if the message received in block 103 refused therequest for a voice call session, the process proceeds on the “yes”branch to block 109. In block 109, the initiating terminal determines ifthe received message also includes an instruction to send a textmessage. If not, the process continues on the “no” branch and otherappropriate operations (e.g., connection to a voice mail system) may beperformed. If the received message includes an instruction to send atext message, the process continues on the “yes” branch from block 109to block 110. In block 110, the initiating terminal initiates a textmessaging application (or brings an active application to theforeground) and prompts the user for input. After receiving that inputat block 111, the message is sent at block 112, after which the processends.

In some embodiments, if at any time the initiating terminal receives acommunication from (or on behalf of, e.g., from a server) the recipientterminal indicating that the voice call session request has beenrejected, the process of FIG. 8 terminates and the initiating terminalsimply outputs a notification that the voice call session request hasfailed.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process and showingoperations performed by a recipient terminal that supports a textalternative feature (e.g., terminal 1B) according to at least someembodiments. Although the operations shown in FIG. 9 may be performed byrecipient terminal as part of the communication sequences shown in FIGS.2-7, the communication sequences of FIGS. 2-7 could also be performed bya recipient terminal performing operations according to a process otherthan that reflected by FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 shows operations that could, for example, be performed by arecipient terminal in embodiments such as were described in connectionwith FIGS. 2-4. A person of ordinary skill will readily appreciate,however, that operations represented by certain blocks of FIG. 9 couldbe performed by other devices, such as server 20.

At block 201, the recipient terminal receives a communication requestingestablishment of a voice call session. The process then proceeds toblock 202 and the recipient terminal determines if the text alternativefeature is enabled. If not, the process proceeds on the “no” branch toblock 203. In block 203, the terminal provides indicators of theincoming call request and allows initiation of a signaling exchange withthe initiating terminal. The indicators of the incoming call requestcould include audio indicators (e.g., ringtones), visual indicators(e.g., graphical indicia on a device display) and/or tactile indicators(e.g., vibrations) provided to the recipient terminal user of theincoming call session request. The process then proceeds to block 204,where the recipient terminal sends a communication (e.g., to theinitiating terminal or to a server) indicating that the text alternativefeature is supported. The process then proceeds to block 205 and therecipient terminal determines if another communication from theinitiating terminal acknowledging the text alternative has beenreceived. If not, the process continues on the “no” branch to block 206and the recipient terminal determines if a predetermined time period(e.g., the maximum amount of time the recipient terminal is permitted to“ring”) has expired. If that predetermined time has expired, the processcontinues on the “yes” branch from block 206 and the recipient terminalmay perform other appropriate operations (e.g., directing the caller tovoice mail). Otherwise, the process loops back to block 205 on the “no”branch from block 206.

If the recipient terminal determines at block 205 that anacknowledgement communication has been received, the process continueson the “yes” branch to block 207. In block 207, the recipient terminalstarts a timer for a predetermined time period that the recipientterminal will wait for a text message. The predetermined time period ofblock 207 can be the same or different from the predetermined timeperiod of block 206. From block 207, the process proceeds to block 208,where the recipient terminal determines if a text message from theinitiating terminal has been received. If so, the process proceeds onthe “yes” branch to process conclusion. If not, the process continues onthe “no” branch to block 209. In block 209, the terminal determines ifthe timer started in block 207 has expired. If not, the process loopsback to block 208 on the “no” branch. If so, the process continues onthe “yes” branch to block 210. In block 210, data is stored indicatingthe call request is a missed call. From block 210, the processterminates.

Returning to block 202, if the text alternative feature is enabled, flowcontinues on the “yes” branch to block 211. In block 211, the terminalprovides indicators of the incoming call request and allows initiationof a signaling exchange. The process then proceeds to block 212, wherethe recipient terminal sends a communication refusing the call requestand indicating that a text message should be sent. The process thencontinues to block 213 and the recipient terminal determines if theinitiating terminal has sent a communication that acknowledges thecommunication of block 212. If so, the process continues on the “yes”branch to block 207. If not, the process continues on the “no” branch toblock 214, where the recipient terminal determines if a predeterminedperiod has elapsed since sending the communication in block 212. Thepredetermined period of block 214 can be the same or different than thepredetermined periods of block 206 or block 207. If the predeterminedtime period since block 212 has expired, the process continues on the“yes” branch from block 214 and the recipient terminal performs otherappropriate operations (e.g., directing the call request to voice mail).Otherwise, the process returns on the “no” branch from block 214 toblock 213.

As indicated above, a recipient terminal may provide various indicatorsto a recipient terminal user when a request for a voice call session hasbeen received and may provide the recipient terminal user with variousoptions to specify (or to override a prior specification of) how thatrequest can be handled. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a recipientterminal according to some embodiments monitors for certain inputs fromthe recipient terminal user in a separate program thread. If one ofthose inputs is received prior to certain points in the process of FIG.9, for example, the flow of the FIG. 9 process may be altered. Examplesof such inputs, parts of the FIG. 9 process when they might be accepted,and the corresponding process alterations are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 user input when input accepted process alteration answer If “no”branch from block 202 followed: Process terminates and prior todetecting received voice call session communication in block 205.established. If “yes” branch from block 202 followed: prior to sendingcommunication of block 212. voice mail If “no” branch from block 202followed: Process terminates; init. prior to detecting received terminalsent communication in block 205. communication If “yes” branch fromblock 202 followed: directing init. terminal prior to sendingcommunication to voice mail system. of block 212. text mail If “no”branch from block 202 followed: If init. terminal known prior todetecting received to support text communication in block 205.alternative feature, send If “yes” branch from block 202 followed:communication N/A (text mail preference of directing init. terminalrecipient assumed by enablement to send text message, of textalternative feature). then go to block 207. If not known whether init.terminal supports text alternative feature, send communication directinginit. terminal to send text message, then go to block 213. end If “no”branch from block 202 followed: Send communication to prior to detectingreceived initiating terminal communication in block 205. indicatingvoice call If “yes” branch from block 202 followed: session will not beN/A (text mail preference of established; if no text recipient assumedby enablement message or voice mail of text alternative feature).message received within timeout period, go to block 210. reject If “no”branch from block 202 followed: Send communication prior to detectingreceived indicating no voice mail communication in block 205. sessionwill be If “yes” branch from block 202 followed: established and novoice prior to sending communication mail or text message of block 212.will be accepted.User inputs and resulting actions, such as listed in the first and thirdcolumns of Table 1, are not limited to embodiments in which the processof FIG. 9 is performed. For example, in embodiments where communicationsequences such as in FIGS. 2-7 are performed by recipient terminalsperforming processes different from that of FIG. 9, similar inputssimilar to those in the “user input” column of Table 1 may result inoperations similar to those in the “process alteration” column of Table1.

In some embodiments, a recipient terminal such as terminal 1B couldalternatively be configured by a user so that the text alternativefeature is disabled, and so that requests for voice call sessions aredirected to voice mail regardless of the desires of the initiatingterminal user.

In at least some embodiments, and as described above, certaincommunications can be sent during a signaling exchange when a voice callsession has not been established. Examples of such communications caninclude the communications associated with lines 52-4 and 52-6 (FIG. 2),lines 53-4 and 53-6 (FIG. 3), lines 54-4 and 54-6 (FIG. 4), lines 55-8and 55-10 (FIG. 5), lines 56-6 and 56-8 (FIG. 6) and lines 57-6 and 57-7(FIG. 7). In some embodiments one or more other messages can be sentwithout establishing the voice call session requested by the initiatingterminal. For example, a message refusing the requested voice callsession and instructing the initiating terminal to send a text messagecould include a tone and/or voice recording played through the speakerof the initiating terminal. Similarly, a message indicating that therecipient terminal supports the text alternative feature could include atone or voice recording, played through the initiating terminal speaker,indicating that a text message is preferred to leaving a voice mail. Asanother example, a prerecorded message from a recipient terminal orother network element could inform the initiating terminal user thatsaid user can press “1” to leave a voice mail or press “2” if theinitiating terminal supports the text alternative feature and the userwould prefer to send a text message. If the initiating terminal userpresses “2”, a subsequent communication could be sent to the terminal(or a series of tones played on the terminal) instructing the terminalto initiate a text application, etc.

Although a text message sent as part of a text alternative feature couldbe sent to the same recipient terminal with which the initiatingterminal has requested a voice call session, this need not be the case.In some embodiments, an initiating terminal automatically populates theappropriate field(s) of a text message (e.g., one of the messages oflines 52-11, 53-11, 55-15, 56-13) so as to address that message to thesame recipient identifier (e.g., a telephone number of the recipientterminal) used for the voice call session request (lines 52-2, 53-2,55-4, 56-2). The initiating terminal user is not required to re-enter orotherwise re-specify that identifier for purposes of the text message.In other embodiments, a communication from or on behalf of the recipientterminal (e.g., a communication similar to that of lines 52-4, 53-4,54-4, 55-8, 56-6 or 57-6) includes a different recipient identifier(e.g., a phone number of a different terminal), which differentidentifier is then used automatically by the initiating terminal withoutrequiring the initiating terminal user to specify that differentidentifier. The different identifier could be pre-programmed by therecipient terminal user as part of creating a user profile.Alternatively, the recipient terminal user could provide the differentidentifier in response to a prompt included when the recipient terminalnotifies the user of an incoming voice call session request.

In some embodiments, a text alternative feature could be enabled as partof a presence feature. For example, a wireless terminal could beconfigured to automatically enable (or request enablement of) the textalternative feature upon roaming to a region associated with aparticular cell. As another example, a recipient terminal could beconfigured to automatically enable the text alternative feature atcertain times and/or on certain days. As yet a further example, arecipient terminal could be configured to automatically enable the textalternative feature upon detecting a certain caller identifier (or otherinformation) reflecting who has initiated a voice call session request.

As but another example, a recipient terminal can be configured so thatthe microphone (e.g., microphone 6B of FIG. 1) periodically samplesambient noise levels. If the ambient noise level exceeds a certain levelfor a predefined time period, the terminal would then assume it islocated in a noisy environment and enable the text alternative feature.As another example, a mobile device having motion sensors could beconfigured to determine, based on motion levels above a certain levelover a certain amount of time, that a user is engaged in jogging or someother activity and that the text alternative feature should be enabled.As a yet another example, a mobile device could be configured to detectWiFi, BLUETOOTH or other types of wireless signals transmitted by aproprietor of a movie theater, church, or other establishment in whichuse of mobile devices is discouraged. In response to detecting awireless signal, the recipient terminal could then enable the textalternative feature and disable any preset audible indicators that mightotherwise be output in response to an incoming request to establish avoice call session.

In some embodiments, a presence feature can be combined with features ofembodiments described in FIGS. 2-7. For example, a recipient terminalcould be configured to respond to incoming voice call requests accordingto FIGS. 2-4 under some circumstances when it is assumed the user isable (or wishes) to be notified of all incoming requests and given theoption to provide responsive input to such a notification. In othercircumstances, one or more of the operations for responding to incomingvoice call session requests could be turned over to a server or othernetwork element in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 5-7. Suchoperations might be turned over if, e.g., the recipient terminal ispowered off or if the user has indicated a desire for a network elementto assume certain operations.

The foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposesof illustration and description. The foregoing description is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments to the precise formdisclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.The embodiments discussed herein were chosen and described in order toexplain the principles and the nature of various embodiments and theirpractical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize thepresent invention in various embodiments and with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated. All embodiments neednot necessarily achieve all objects or advantages identified above. Thefeatures of the embodiments described herein may be combined in allpossible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, andmachine-readable products. Any and all permutations of features fromabove-described embodiments are the within the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: sending, by aninitiating device, a first communication requesting a voice call sessionwith a recipient device; receiving, by the initiating device, a secondcommunication responsive to the first communication, the secondcommunication comprising an indication of a refusal of the voice callsession and a request that the initiating device provide a text messageinstead of the requested voice call session; sending, by the initiatingdevice, an acknowledgment communication responsive to the secondcommunication, the acknowledgement communication comprising anindication that the initiating device will send a text message inresponse to the second communication; generating, by the initiatingdevice, a text message, based on input by an initiating user, responsiveto the second communication; and sending, by the initiating device andsubsequent to sending the acknowledgment communication, the textmessage.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automaticallypopulating the text message.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond communication comprises a second text message received from therecipient device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondcommunication comprises a voice message or a graphic.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein generating the text message comprises starting a textmessaging application at the initiating device, in response to receivingthe second communication.
 6. A communication device, comprising: atleast one memory and at least one processor configured to cause thecommunication device to: send a first communication requesting a voicecall session with a recipient device; receive a second communicationcomprising an indication of a refusal of the voice call session and arequest to provide a text message; send an acknowledgment communicationresponsive to the second communication, the acknowledgementcommunication comprising an indication that the communication devicewill send a text message in response to the second communication;generate a text message, based on input by an initiating user,responsive to the second communication; and send the text messagesubsequent to sending the acknowledgment communication.
 7. Thecommunication device of claim 6, wherein the communication device ispart of a system that comprises the recipient device, the recipientdevice comprising at least one memory and at least one processorconfigured to cause the recipient device to: receive an indication ofthe first communication requesting the voice call session; send thesecond communication comprising the indication of the refusal of thevoice call session and the request to provide a text message; receive acommunication corresponding to the acknowledgment communication, theacknowledgment communication comprising the indication that thecommunication device will send a text message; determine that the textmessage has been received within a predetermined time period; andresponsive to the determination, omit, from a listing of missed calls,data corresponding to the request for the voice call session.
 8. Thecommunication device of claim 6, wherein the communication device ispart of a system that comprises a network element, wherein the networkelement is different from the recipient device, the network elementcomprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to:receive an indication of the first communication requesting the voicecall session; send the second communication comprising the indication ofthe refusal of the voice call session and the request to provide a textmessage; receive the acknowledgment communication comprising theindication that the communication device will send a text message;determine that the text message has been received within a predeterminedtime period; and responsive to the determination, omit, from a listingof missed calls, data corresponding to the request for the voice callsession.
 9. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the at leastone memory and at least one processor are further configured to causethe communication device to generate the text message by starting a textmessaging application at the communication device, in response toreceiving the second communication.
 10. A method comprising: receiving,by a first device and from a second device, a request for a voice callsession; sending, by the first device and to the second device, anindication of a refusal of the request and an indication of a requestthat a text message be sent by the second device; after sending theindication of the refusal and the indication of the request that a textmessage be sent by the second device, receiving a communicationcomprising an indication that the second device will send a textmessage; receiving, by the first device and from the second device, atext message based at least in part on input by a user; after receivingthe text message, determining, by the first device, that the textmessage was received within a predetermined time period; and responsiveto the determination, omitting from a listing of missed calls, datacorresponding to the request for the voice call session.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein receiving the request for the voice call session,sending the refusal of the request, and receiving the text message areperformed by a network element different from a recipient device or theinitiating device.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein sending theindication of the refusal of the request and the indication of therequest that the text message be sent by the second device comprises:indicating, via a user interface, the received request for the voicecall session; and receiving input via the user interface correspondingto the request that the second device send a text message, whereinsending the indication of the refusal of the request for the voice callsession and the indication of the request that a text message be sent bythe second device, is responsive to the input received via the userinterface.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein sending the indication ofthe refusal of the request and the indication of the request that a textmessage be sent by the second device comprises: receiving user inputindicating processing preferences for incoming voice call sessionrequests, the user input corresponding to the request that the seconddevice send the a message, wherein the user input is received before therequest for the voice call session from the second device; andresponsive to receiving the request for the voice call session,retrieving the processing preferences for incoming voice call sessionrequests, wherein sending the indication of the refusal of the requestfor the voice call session and the indication of the request that a textmessage be sent by the second device, is based on the retrievedprocessing preferences.
 14. A method comprising: receiving, by a networkelement and from a computing device, a request for initiating a voicecall session with a recipient device; sending, by the network elementand to the computing device, an indication of a refusal of the requestand an indication of a request that a text message be sent by thecomputing device to the recipient device; after sending the indicationof the refusal and the indication of the request that a text message besent by the computing device, receiving, at the network element and fromthe computing device, a communication comprising an indication that thecomputing device will send a text message to the recipient device;receiving, by the network element and from the computing device, a textmessage based at least in part on input by a user; after receiving thetext message, determining, by the network element, that the text messagewas received within a predetermined time period; and responsive to thedetermination, omitting from a listing of missed calls, datacorresponding to the request for the voice call session with therecipient device.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein sending theindication of the refusal of the request and the indication of therequest that the text message be sent by the computing device comprises:transmitting, by the network element and to the recipient device, dataindicating the received request for the voice call session; andreceiving, by the network element and from the recipient device, inputcorresponding to the request that the computing device send a textmessage, wherein sending the indication of the refusal of the requestfor the voice call session and the indication of the request that a textmessage be sent by the computing device, is responsive to the inputreceived from the recipient device.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereinsending the indication of the refusal of the request and the indicationof the request that a text message be sent by the computing devicecomprises: receiving, by the network element and from the recipientdevice, user input indicating processing preferences for incoming voicecall session requests, the user input corresponding to the request thatthe computing device send the a message, wherein the user input isreceived before the request for the voice call session from thecomputing device; and responsive to receiving the request for the voicecall session, retrieving, by the network element, the processingpreferences for incoming voice call session requests, wherein sendingthe indication of the refusal of the request for the voice call sessionand the indication of the request that a text message be sent by thecomputing device, is based on the retrieved processing preferences. 17.The method of claim 14, wherein the refusal of the request sent to thecomputing device comprises a voice message or a graphic.
 18. The methodof claim 14, wherein the refusal of the request sent to the computingdevice comprises a text message.